Lansing, MI – The Capital Region Community Foundation has announced it has reached its fundraising goal of $2.2 million for the first universally-accessible playground in the region, designed to promote inclusivity and the health and well-being of children of all abilities. Officially named Play Michigan!, this extraordinary playground-park on the downtown Lansing riverfront will be a destination for families throughout our region and beyond.

The project is led by the Capital Region Community Foundation, in partnership with the City of Lansing. AF Group and CASE Credit Union are lead sponsors of the playground-park. Other major sponsors include:

·       Linda and Joel Zylstra, whose original vision sparked the project

·       John and Jewel Bos

·       Eileen and Jerry Fhaner

·       Sparrow Health System

·       Mary Free Bed

·       Michigan Medicine

·       Peckham

Thanks to the generosity of these sponsors and many other donors, the Community Foundation’s fundraising goal of $2.2 million was reached with the Foundation’s dollar-for-dollar match of all contributions. However, construction manager WIELAND has advised that costs are likely to rise.

“Like everyone working on construction projects right now, we’re bracing for increased costs due to shortages in labor and materials,” said Laurie Strauss Baumer, executive vice president of the Community Foundation. “That means additional fundraising may be needed to complete the playground. We are anxious to talk with businesses and individuals interested in helping us reach the finish line.”

The Community Foundation is hoping for a completion date in early fall 2022, subject to any delays in permitting and availability of labor and materials.

This unique park will be located on the Grand River in downtown Lansing, highly visible near the southwest corner of Saginaw Street and Grand Avenue. The 66,000-square-foot park will include a custom, state-of-the-art, all-access playground that is 10,000 square feet. The park will also include a picnic deck, pavilion, dedicated barrier-free parking, and universal access to the river’s edge with a boardwalk and large platform designed for all children and adults to be up close to the river for viewing, picnicking and fishing. 

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The Community Foundation is passionate about creating vibrant, thriving communities throughout Michigan’s capital region. The Foundation serves donors to meet their unique charitable goals, supports area nonprofits with grants and coaching, and leads innovative projects that drive community growth. The Community Foundation (also known as the Capital Region Community Foundation) is a tax-exempt public charity whose mission is to lead philanthropic solutions that build vibrant communities in Ingham, Clinton and Eaton counties.